That all looks like it will be amazing. I found a slight upgrade you'll need for the SWG. The IC40 will have to run almost all day to keep up with that many gallons. Go for the IC60 and it wont have to be run or replaced as often. It should only be around $200 more and that is small potatoes with the scope of your project.
I just talked to our PB about that - we're at 20k gallons (pool & spa) combined b/c we're doing an extended shallow end with a steeper drop-off to the deep end, so the size is a bit misleading. He's certain that the IC40 would do just fine and that upgrading to the IC60 would be a $300 upgrade but it would barely run at full capacity. If the rule of thumb was a SWCG ~2x the pool capacity, it appears we are right in line with that.
The step in on the shelf is a great idea! It will make it even easier to get in and out AND have the depth you want!
Stone columns?? That will be so pretty!
Will you get some sod/grass seed to put on the dirt once everything is done?
We have LOTS of deer also as well as otters that come and swim & eat frogs from our pond! Our 'shep used to love to stand with the deer in the evening as they grazed in the yard. He was almost as big as the smaller ones LOL Our current dog does not really care about them.
Kim
Yeah - after being at the resort in Cancun last week and feeling the difference between a 6" depth and a 10" depth, we definitely wanted a deeper shelf. We also changed the 360* spa from a 12.5* negative edge to a flat edge with a slightly rolled interior to make getting in and out easier for everyone. For the stone columns, they'll match the ones on the front of the house to truly integrate the look, and it will give us enough height in the pavilion to drop down a nice-sized fan and drop a tv-mount from the ceiling so we can watch football.
Funny about the sod... we always thought the pool project was a few years off, so last year, my husband and I put down sod in our backyard ourselves (including the grading!) with the help of some very good friends. We did about 5000 sqft in an afternoon. And now we're digging it all up, haha. We did add an allowance into our contract for our sod guy to come back out and lay new down once we're done - we estimated 3200 sqft via the PB program, but spec'd 4000 sqft in our contract. And thankfully he's bringing guys to do it this time. We'll also have 10 1-ton boulders to use around the property as hardscaping that we'll strategically place to create planters and help the grotto look more natural.
Will your equipment be on the backside of house or on the side (outside of fence as the picture renders)?
It will be on the side, as it is in the photos. We'll clear out part of our flower bed that is there and possibly relocate the hostas to the back of our deck where we have a shady spot.
One thought on the back side fence location. We found that with our fence being located down the slope, it creates a great viewing experience from the pool or pool deck because you can't see the fence on the downhill side of the pool. So it is like the fence isn't there. Here's a picture to explain better. They used a lot of the dig dirt right below the pool since it was a bout 3' above grade on that side. We still have a nice play area below the fence and I landscaped everything inside the fence.
We've talked about dropping the fence down the hill, but that will very quickly blow our budget, as nice as it looks. As it is, we have to get an additional 30 lnft (~$600) of fencing above what we originally estimated, b/c we want it to go to the edge of the slope to leave room at the back of the pool area to play cornhole. Hubby also talked about expanding it out from the left side of the house (equipment pad side) to have more of that space inside the fence line - more fence... though I'm opposed to that b/c that's where the kids play soccer, and I'd prefer they weren't running/chasing the ball in the pool area.